By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand – French expatriate and author Harry Nicolaides was charged of “lese majeste” and jailed in Thailand since August. On December 4, Reporters Without Borders called for the immediate release of Nicolaides who faces up to 15 years in jail. Reporters Without Borders said, “We urge the Australian authorities to do everything within their power to secure the repatriation of Harry Nicolaides as quickly as possible.” The organization added, “He is being held in very harsh conditions and his morale is at a very low ebb.”

Nicolaide’s lawyer claims Nicolaides is suffering from poor health and requested bail on the grounds of medical reasons. The lawyer’s request was rejected for the fourth time on November 22.

The Thai government does not allow any published material that insults the Thai monarchy. The charges relate to Nicolaide’s book published three years ago, Verisimilitude, which alluded to the Crown Prince mistreating one of his mistresses.  The book did not gain much success as only 50 copies were sold; however, it was dug up by Thai authorities and Nicolaides is in jail for writing a book that was deemed to insult the Thai monarchy.  Nicolaides has since retracted his book and insists that he never meant to insult the Thai monarchy.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Nicolaides “has been refused bail on four separate occasions, which we of course regret, but it’s not possible for the Australian Government to seek to interfere in the judicial or legal processes of another country.” In the meantime, Smith said the Australian Embassy in Thailand has made 30 representations to the Thai government about Nicolaides’ case and is “treating this very seriously.”

Thailand has accused and arrested other nationals for insulting their monarchy in the past. In 2006, a Swiss National was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison for insulting the Thai monarchy and he was ultimately released and deported after a few weeks. Earlier this year, a BBC journalist was accused of insulting the Thai monarchy a charge that BBC vehemently denies.

For more information, please see:

AP – Thai King’s Illness Sparks Anxiety Amid Crisis– 4 December 2008

RSF – Australian Author Denied Bail for the Fourth Time– 4 December 2008

The Australian – Stephen Smith Cannot Help Jailed Aussie Harry Nicolaides in Thailand – 9 December 2008